Written Answers Tuesday 26 June 2007

Scottish Executive

Child Poverty

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to support the target to end child poverty by 2020 and halve it by 2010.

Stewart Maxwell: We are committed to sharing the UK Government’s long-term target to eradicate child poverty by 2020 and will continue to do all that we can to ensure that Scottish policies and programmes make the maximum contribution towards the milestone of halving child poverty by 2010.

  We are currently reviewing existing policy commitments in this area and will make clear what our priorities are in the coming months. By developing policies that reflect our overarching strategic principles of making Scotland a Wealthier and Fairer, Healthier, Stronger and Safer, Smarter and Greener nation, we will take the steps which ensure that tackling child poverty is an overarching priority for the Scottish Government.

Child Poverty

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will help children in the severest poverty.

Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-1137 on 26 June 2007. In addition, we welcome the report by Save the Children Scotland on this subject, published on 19 June 2007, and will be discussing the implications of the report with them.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Child Poverty

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific actions will be taken to end child poverty by 2020 and halve it by 2010.

Stewart Maxwell: We will continue to take forward the implementation of Workforce Plus and More Choices, More Chances to get more people into sustainable employment and more of our young people into employment, education or training. In addition, we have already announced a number of additional measures which will enhance our efforts to tackle child poverty. These include trialling approaches to extend free school meals for P1 to P3 pupils in selected schools, a new skills strategy by the end of the summer, development of a new early years strategy to ensure that all children have the best start in life and the establishment of a Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities to tackle the most significant inequalities in the health of the people of Scotland.

Communities Scotland

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to transfer the responsibilities of Communities Scotland to local authorities.

Stewart Maxwell: During the course of the Housing Debate on 21 June 2007 I spoke about the need to deliver our housing and regeneration commitments through a simpler public sector landscape. It is important that decisions about changing the way Communities Scotland’s functions are delivered are taken on an informed basis. I am currently in discussions with officials about the role and functions of Communities Scotland and hope to reach firm conclusions in the next few months.

Education

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to local authorities for the promotion and advancement of modern language teaching in secondary schools since the publication of Citizens of a Multilingual World – A Guide for Secondary School Pupils in March 2002.

Maureen Watt: In 2001 the government set up the languages fund to support language learning and teaching in both primary and secondary schools, and in particular to support the implementation of the recommendations made in the report Citizens of a Multilingual World.  It is for education authorities to decide the extent to which this is directed to primary or secondary schools and we do not ask them to report on the amounts allocated to each sector.

  Since 2001 the following amounts have been provided to education authorities under this fund:

  

Year
Amount


2001-02
£2.5 million


2002-03
£4 million


2003-04
£4 million


2004-05
£4 million


2005-06
£4 million


2006-07
£3.9 million


2007-08
£4 million



  In addition to the annual languages fund, an additional Innovation Fund was set up from 2002-04 to provide match funding for languages projects which were particularly innovative. £694,472 was provided through this funding stream.

Education

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to local authorities for the (a) training of primary school teachers to teach modern languages and (b) teaching of modern languages in primary schools in each year since 1990.

Maureen Watt: In January 1993, ministers announced that all Scottish primary schools should offer teaching in a modern European language. To facilitate this, a national Modern Languages in the Primary School (MLPS) training programme was set up to train primary languages teachers. Between 1993 and 2001 over £23 million was provided for MLPS training.

  Following the publication of the report Citizens of a Multilingual World in 2000 and the Executive’s response to this in 2001, MLPS funding was replaced by a general languages fund, which could be used by authorities to support language learning and teaching in primary as well as secondary schools. Details on this funding stream are provided in the response to the answer to question S3W-1009 on 26 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Education

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that all those who had complaints made against them while working at Kerelaw School, but have not been investigated by Glasgow City Council because they are no longer employed by the council, who now work for other authorities are swiftly investigated.

Adam Ingram: In relation to any former employee now working in a care setting or school, we would expect employers to have carried out rigorous recruitment checks and to have firm child protection policies and procedures in place. This is a requirement in the relevant National Care Standards published by the Scottish Government. The Care Commission is required to take these Standards into account when it inspects care services. Safer recruitment requirements are also set out in both the Code of Practice for Employers of Social Service Workers (Scottish Social Services Council) . In, addition the recent guidance published by the Scottish Executive, Safer Recruitment Through Better Recruitment reinforces and underpins these requirements.

  In any case where there may be a report to the Procurator Fiscal, it is a matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to decide whether or not there are criminal proceedings.

  Glasgow City Council has referred individuals to the Disqualified from Working with Children List (DWCL). I met the Director of Social Work Services on 21 June 2007 to discuss the council’s report on the Kerelaw investigation, including the number of former employees covered by the report.

  Anyone who is provisionally listed on DWCL is not barred from working in a child care position. All known employers are notified of provisional listing; employers can undertake a risk-assessment to decide on what action is appropriate; the period of provisional listing is kept as brief as possible, and provisional listing shows up on a disclosure check.

  As part of the actions responding to the council’s review of its management of Kerelaw, I will be meeting with residential providers to identify what further improvements may be needed to protect children from abuse in residential care.

Education

Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of classes in (a) English, (b) mathematics and (c) in total are set by ability in non-streamed local authority secondary schools, broken down by year of study.

Maureen Watt: The information requested is not held centrally.

European Funding

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government and (b) European Commission in relation to Scottish structural fund programmes submitted for approval and admissibility.

Jim Mather: Discussions on the Scottish Structural Funds Programmes, including the exchange of information on progress with European Commission negotiations, have taken place on a number of occasions between officials of the Scottish Executive and the relevant UK Government Departments. In addition, Scottish Executive officials met with their European Commission counterparts in early June to discuss the fine detail of the four proposed Scottish Operational Programmes. These discussions went well with good progress being made towards final agreement on the programmes.

Football

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Communities and Sport will meet footballing groups and organisations.

Stewart Maxwell: I do not presently have meetings set up with groups and organisations but anticipate meeting a wide range of these organisations in due course.

Higher Education

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for increasing the number of students from areas of multiple deprivation in higher education.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Executive has never set any targets for the numbers of people entering higher education from areas of multiple deprivation. However, I support initiatives to increase participation in higher education and I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to study based on their ability rather than on their personal circumstances or ability to pay.

Homelessness

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to support the target to end homelessness by 2012.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is committed to delivering the homelessness legislation already passed by the Scottish Parliament. This includes a commitment to the target to abolish the current distinction between households assessed as having a priority need for accommodation and other homeless households by 2012.

Homelessness

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific actions will be taken to end homelessness by 2012.

Stewart Maxwell: A wide range of actions is required to deliver the homelessness legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament and to meet the target to abolish the current legislative distinction between households assessed as having a priority need for accommodation and other homeless households by 2012. Ministers will consider the current situation later in the year in order to assess progress and determine priorities. This consideration will be informed by discussion with stakeholders on annual outcome and progress reports submitted by local authorities; homelessness statistics, and other relevant information.

Housing

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in relation to the transfer of council house stock and associated debt repayment in Scotland.

Stewart Maxwell: As I announced in the Housing Debate on 21 June 2007, the government will consult in the autumn on its proposals for social housing. This will include proposals on the role that housing stock transfer might play in developing a social rented sector that is affordable and is focussed on meeting the need of existing tenants and those in housing need.

Housing

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-343 by Stewart Maxwell on 13 June 2007, when Communities Scotland began its assessment of a proposal by Hjaltland Housing Association and Shetland Islands Council to operate a tenants incentive scheme and when it expects to complete its assessment.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  An initial proposal was received in January 2006, further information was sought by Communities Scotland and that was received by May 2006. As the proposal potentially had implications for other local authority areas consideration had to be given to whether a national approach was required. That consideration concluded that the Shetland proposal could in fact be considered on its own merits and that assessment is currently underway.

Housing

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider making a Scottish statutory instrument to allow Audit Scotland to instigate an investigation into Glasgow Housing Association should the current inspection by Communities Scotland find grounds for concern.

Stewart Maxwell: The current inspection of Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is due to report in September. If the report identifies concerns or areas for improvement, Communities Scotland has a range of options open to it for dealing with such issues and will work with GHA to ensure that any problems are addressed.

  At this time we have no plans to instigate a further investigation.

Housing

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Glasgow Housing Association is required by law to seek repayment from home owners for improvement works within 12 months.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-32268 on 16 March 2007, which stated that Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is expected to seek and act on its own legal advice in relation to specific issues. I understand that GHA has done that in relation to the period of time it can allow owners to repay costs without jeopardising its charitable status. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Housing

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the criteria used by Glasgow Housing Association to determine the valuation per house on the basis of which it would charge to local housing associations involved in preparing business plans for second stage stock transfer proposals will be fair and reasonable.

Stewart Maxwell: I am currently reviewing the progress made in delivering all the transfer promises to tenants in Glasgow, including second stage transfer. I recognise that the financial issues surrounding second stage transfer are extremely complex.

Inter-Governmental Links

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it first received a copy of the memorandum of understanding between the UK and Libyan governments and from what source.

Kenny MacAskill: On Friday 1 June, from the Home Office.

Inter-Governmental Links

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with the UK Government about the memorandum of understanding between the UK and Libyan governments and when such discussions took place.

Kenny MacAskill: The UK Government did not consult the Scottish Government on the Memorandum of Understanding with Libya.

Licensing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to raise the age for purchasing alcohol at off-licence premises to 21.

Kenny MacAskill: No.

NHS Services

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to improve transport provision for residents of South Carrick to enable them to access NHS services.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to improve transport provision for residents of the Doon Valley to enable them to access NHS services.

Nicola Sturgeon: Following a meeting on 15 June 2007 of the West of Scotland Transport Leads, group discussions are beginning with Glasgow Community Transport, SPT and the west of Scotland NHS boards on how to create improved community transport in Ayrshire specifically focused on improving access to health care. These discussions are at a very early stage. There are no details at the moment on what may be possible from such a community transport initiative, as a full business case would have to be developed with Glasgow Community Transport, SPT and local Ayrshire community transport groups.

  The creation of the extended Stagecoach route 24 would directly benefit residents travelling from South Carrick as it would reduce the number of bus changes required for residents from these areas to access the main Ayrshire general hospitals i.e. Ayr and Crosshouse Hospital. This will result in reduced travel time and cost for passengers.

Police

Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether unqualified interpreters are employed at police stations or courts in Scotland and, if so, how many are employed and what proportion of the total number of interpreters employed these represent.

Kenny MacAskill: Information on the use of interpreters by the police is not held centrally and is an operational matter for individual chief constables.

  Information on the use of unqualified interpreters by the Scottish Court Service or the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service is not held centrally. Both SCS and COPFS request that an interpreter should have the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (Scottish Legal Option) as a qualification. The Diploma in Public Service Interpreting qualification has been accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

  There is currently a shortage of suitably qualified interpreters in some languages and on occasion the services of an interpreter who does not hold the diploma may be engaged.

Prison Service

Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has discussed the proposal to move £35 million from the prison budget with the Scottish Prison Service.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Discussions will take place in due course with the Scottish Prison Service as part of the wider spending review process.

Prison Service

Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact would be of a 5% reduction in the prison budget.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  A 5% reduction would amount to some £20 million. The impact of such a reduction would depend on a range of factors, including the size of the prisoner population.

  The budget for the Scottish Prison Service for the next three years will be determined by the spending review process later this year.

Prison Service

Margaret Curran (Glasgow Baillieston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward proposals to deliver the commitment to a publicly owned and run prison service.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  Following consideration of the available options and implications, proposals will be developed in relation to this commitment. It is expected that such proposals will form part of the spending review process later this year.

Prison Service

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any circumstances where decisions on Scottish prisons would be made by any other body than the Executive.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  No.

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been confiscated in each year since the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 came into force, broken down by local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: The following table confirms the money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

  

Financial Year
Amount


2003-04
£2,191,175


2004-05
£2,348,846


2005-06
£4,835,541


2006-07
£6,120,955



  A breakdown of these funds by local authority area is not held centrally.

Regeneration

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is working with Aberdeen City Council and other agencies to ensure that regeneration work in the Middlefield area of Aberdeen begins as soon as possible.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the completion of regeneration work in the Middlefield area of Aberdeen.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be made available for regeneration work in the Middlefield area of Aberdeen.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when funding will be made available for regeneration work in the Middlefield area of Aberdeen.

Stewart Maxwell: I understand that Aberdeen City Council is developing regeneration proposals for six areas of the City, including Middlefield. The council has had informal discussions with Communities Scotland but no formal proposals for funding have been submitted to the government for consideration.

School Meals

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to increase the percentage of schools with an anonymised system of free school meals receipt from 53% to 100%.

Adam Ingram: One of the principles of Hungry for Success , the report of the Expert Panel on School Meals published in 2002, was eliminating stigma. A key recommendation within the report was that schools should explore processes to protect the anonymity of those in receipt of free school meals. The Scottish Executive has supported Local Authorities and schools in taking this forward through the funding provided for Hungry for Success , £120 million up to 2008, and by sharing good practice. Progress has been made, but a new duty under the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Scotland Act 2007 will require all local authorities to ensure that anonymised systems will be in place in all of their schools. This new duty is intended to commence in August 2008.

Schools

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many new primary schools are planned to be approved for construction in each year until 2011.

Maureen Watt: We have a clear manifesto commitment to match the school building investment plans which were in place prior to the election, which will see schools delivered until around 2011. The construction of new schools does not though require specific Executive approval. It is for local authorities themselves to decide the precise detail of their forward school investment programmes, not all of which will be firmed up four years ahead of time.

Scottish Consolidation Fund

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current value is of the Scottish Consolidation Fund.

John Swinney: The balance on the account at June 1 is £79,003,833.14.